Phase Strategy (I & II)
- Utility connected applications: Constructing the solar grid
- Promoting solar power through Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) mandated for power utilities, with specific solar component RPO will drive utility scale power generation (solar PV or solar thermal)
- RPO will gradually increase where as the tariff fixed for solar power purchase will decline over time
- The below 80°C challenge – Solar Collectors
- Mission sets an ambitious target for ensuring that applications, domestic & industrial, below 80°C are solarised.
Mission Plans
Rural and Electrification—
- Provide solar lighting system under the ongoing remote village electrification program of MNRE to cover about 10,000 villages & hamlets
- Set up stand alone rural solar power plants in special category States and remote and difficult areas such as Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Ladakh region of J&K. Border areas would also be included.
- Promotion of other off grid solar power applications would also be encouraged (includes hybrid systems to meet power, heating & cooling energy requirements currently being met by use of diesel & other fossil fuels)
- Solar energy to power computers to assist learning in schools & hostels would consider up to 30 per cent capital subsidy for promoting such innovative applications
- Also structure a non-distorting framework to support entrepreneurship, Up scaling and Innovation
Strengthen Manufacturing Capabilities—
- Manufacturing capabilities: innovate, expand and disseminate
- Requires India’s leadership role in low-cost, High cost solar manufacturing, including balance of system components
- Proactive implementation of Special Incentive Package policy to promote PV manufacturing plants
- SME sector forms the backbone for manufacture of various components and systems for solar systems
Solar Thermal Power Generation—
- 50-100 MW Solar thermal plant with 4-6 hours’ storage (which can meet both morning and evening peak loads and double plant load factor up to 40%)
- A 100-MW capacity parabolic trough technology based solar thermal plant
- A 100-150 MW Solar hybrid plant with coal, gas or bio-mass to address variability and space-constraints
- 20-50 MW solar plants with/without storage, based on central receiver technology with molten salt/steam as the working fluid and other emerging technologies.
- Grid-connected rooftops PV systems on selected government buildings and installations, with net metering.